The loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, coupled with Newcastle’s victory over West Ham earlier in the day, saw the ‘R’ placed next to the visitors’ names for the first time this quarter.
This will come as no surprise to anyone, let alone the players who looked predictably down on the final whistle. But United’s fate is now official. And also mathematical. A return to the championship, two years after winning the second of their two promotions under Chris Wilder, invites us.
“There are a lot of injuries in there, but there have been a lot of injuries in there for a long time,” said Paul Heckingbottom, who has been in charge of goalkeeper for the past month. “It’s confirmed now, even though everyone has been talking about it for a long time. Now we know our fate.
United’s display at Molineux, where William Jose’s 60th-minute goal was enough to settle the game, underscored why they find themselves languishing for 19 safety points with just six games to go.
Seconds before Jose pulled the hosts ahead, with a clinical first arrival from Adama Traore’s center, Enda Stevens had failed to convert a wonderful opportunity for United. Likewise David McGoldrick in the middle of the opening period, when he took too many touches inside the opponent’s area.
United has no shortage of industry. But, stripped of several key players due to injury, they are woefully lacking in invention and cutting edge.
“I thought those 30 seconds or so was pretty much the whole season,” Heckingbottom said, referring to the missed then quick counter that saw Wolves take the lead. “It’s a ruthless league, especially every time you look at the table because everyone is supposed to be better than us.
“It’s the most ruthless, punitive league I think there is, without a shadow of a doubt. And it’s been tough for these guys.”
“Now it all depends on how we present ourselves,” he added. “Of what we’re doing in these remaining games, because it’s something we can control. We have to look to the future.”
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.thestar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-17 22:05:14
